By George, Opals are back on Olympics track with win

Cayla George’s bench cameo has woken the Opals from their Olympic slumber, Australia handling Canada 70-65 to avoid a catastrophic early Games exit.

Australia rid themselves of the bad habits that had cost them in a loss to Nigeria that five-time Olympic veteran Lauren Jackson labeled a disaster.

They were tidier on both ends as they took control of a tight contest in the second half.

Three-time Olympian George (11 points, three-of-four three point attempts) was dynamic on Thursday in Lille, hitting a three-pointer with his first touch then earning an offensive foul on the next play to swing momentum his team’s way.

Another three-pointer and a crucial deflection that led to a turnover all-but iced the contest before she fouled out in the final seconds.

Guard Sami Whitcomb (19 points, 10 assists, five rebounds) played the steadying hand as the world No.3 side looked a different squad to the one upset by Nigeria in a disastrous Games opener.

The loss left Canada 0-2, the Opals now able to top the pool, or at least guarantee a quarter-final berth in Paris with second place, if they beat France in their final pool game on Sunday.

Ezi Magbegor also found foul trouble but still had 10 points in 15 minutes, while Steph Talbot (11 points, nine rebounds, six assists) and Marianna Tolo (11 points) stepped up in a replay of the 2022 World Cup bronze medal game won by Australia.

Jackson was scoreless after attempting three shots in almost nine minutes but provided a defensive presence, particularly after Magbegor found foul trouble and left the game early in the third term.

Canada led by five in the first half, but the world No.5 side’s inaccuracy at Pierre Mauroy Stadium cost them, shooting 31 per cent from within the arc.

Bridget Carleton did the heavy lift for Canada, scoring 19 points on five-of-seven triples and adding eight rebounds and four assists.